Filter by Form option missing

Question

Access 2013 (upgraded from 2003) / Windows 7

I'm trying to filter by form, but the option seems to be missing. Searching the web it seems there should be an "advanced" option under "sort & filter". I can get to filter by form by using the 2003 shortcut of Alt-R-F-F (Records-Filter-Filter By Form). But I can't then apply the filter, even if I try the 2003 shortcut of Alt-R-Y (Filter-Apply Filter/Sort).

Suggestions?

TIA,

Charlene

Answer 1

I used to be a big fan of Filter by Form, but I've actually moved away from it. The reason is that datasheet filtering is much better. If you switch your form view to Datasheet, each column heading has a pull down arrow on it. When you pull down the arrow you get a menu that allows you many options to filter the data. If the recordset is small enough, you actually get a listing of values you can just check off. Otherwise you have filtering options that may vary depending on datatype of the column. Another advantage is that the filtering is cumulative giving you the ability to drill down to the records you want. For example, you can filter by State, then filter by City from only the cities in the selected State(s). Then further filter by street. You have options like Begin, Contains along with Equal, Not Equal and more. 

I suggest playing with datasheet filtering, you may never go back to Filter by form.

Answer 2

Never use shortcut keys myself... trying to save grey matter, nothing to remember using the mouse. 8-)

Answer 3

Thanks for your quick and helpful reply. The old shortcut key sequence from 2003 works fine for selecting filter by form. I was still stuck on how to apply the filter using shortcut keys (I use the mouse as little as possible). I'm still getting used to how the Alt-(letter) shortcuts work in Office 2013, but I finally figured it out. For anyone else who may want to know: to apply the filter use Alt-H-F-V-Y. Now I just need to retrain my muscle memory. :-)

Thanks!

Charlene

Answer 4

It's there... second column, second button down.  No words because Ribbon not stretched out fully.